DEREK MORRIS FROM SOUTH SHORE CAUGHT AFTER FAILING TO UPDATE ADDRESS IN SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION

In January 2018, authorities in Blackpool uncovered a serious breach involving Derek Morris, a convicted sex offender from South Shore. The incident unfolded when police, acting on a warrant, arrived at a residence in Bond Street to conduct an investigation related to allegations of possessing indecent images of children. During the operation, officers detained a man at the property, suspecting him of involvement in child exploitation materials.

It was during this arrest that Derek Morris’s situation came to light. Morris, aged 57, had been released from prison just ten days prior to the incident, having served time for sexual offences committed against children. Despite his recent release, Morris had failed to update his residential address with the authorities, a requirement under the Sex Offenders’ Registration Order (SORO).

Initially, Morris had registered his address on Dickson Road with the police upon his release on December 22 of the previous year, after serving time for intimidating a witness. However, during the police raid on January 2, Morris claimed that he was residing at the Bond Street address where officers found him. When questioned, he admitted that he was living at the Bond Street location, which was different from the address he had previously registered.

Following his admission, Morris was taken into custody. The police investigation revealed that he had not notified the authorities of his change of address within the three-day window mandated by law. This failure to comply with the conditions of his sex offender registration was considered a serious offence.

At Blackpool Magistrates' Court, Morris pleaded guilty to the charge of failing to notify his new address within the required timeframe. The court heard that Morris had a long history of sexual offences against children, dating back to 2004, when he was imprisoned and subsequently placed on an indefinite SORO. His recent release was part of ongoing monitoring, but his failure to update his address posed a significant concern.

Magistrate Mark Cottriall emphasized the gravity of the offence, stating, “Failure to notify your address is a serious offence. We have taken it into account it is your first breach of the order.” As a result, Morris was fined £180, with an additional £85 in costs and a £30 victims’ surcharge. The court’s decision underscored the importance of strict compliance with sex offender registration laws to protect the community from potential harm.